Bishop McCort alum, first Cincinnati Bengal John Stofa passes away at 79

Johnstown, PA (WJAC) — John Stofa, a Johnstown native and the "Original Bengal," passed away at age 79 over the weekend.

Stofa, who graduated from Johnstown Catholic/Biship McCort in 1960, was a former All-American and multi-sport athlete.

Stofa played for the University of Buffalo prior to playing quarterback for multiple teams, in both the AFL and NFL.

Over the course of his career, Stofa spent time with Miami, Denver, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, and was considered the "Original Bengal" after becoming the first player for the Bengals' franchise when the team joined the NFL in 1968.

Stofa had recently battled with Parkinson's, reports indicate.

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